MANILA, Philippines - The Aug. 23 hostage crisis took place on the 14th day of the Ghost Month, or the seventh month of the lunar calendar when Chinese believe spirits roam the land.
This year, the Ghost Month ran from...
Aug. 10 to Sept. 7.Qui Jiq, a feng shui master, said, “For the superstitious, it is best to avoid activities such as swimming or evening strolls during the Ghost Month, since the malevolent spirits can try to harm us.”
“This is a bad month for the Chinese. They should offer a feast on Ghost Festival which falls in the middle of the Ghost Month. The Mandarin name of this festival is zhong yuán jié,” Jiq said.
Chinese avoid auspicious occasions like weddings, engagements, moving into a new house or opening a new business during the Ghost Month.
Jiq said there are many ghosts in Chinese culture which have been worshipped for thousands of years, among them a young woman whose face is covered by her long black hair. The woman encounters misfortune and dies, but comes back for revenge.
Chinese people often say, “If you believe in ghosts, then there will be ghosts. But if you don’t, there will be none.”
Confucius, on the other hand, said, “Respect ghosts and gods, but keep away from them.”
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